California State University, Bakersfield debaters Jeremy Peterson and
David Wells struggled against an onslaught of East Coast and Midwest universities
at the recent 55th annual National Debate Tournament held at Baylor University
in Waco, Texas.

Wells and Peterson defeated the teams from George Washington University,
Miami of Ohio, and North Texas State University, said Omar G. Guevara,
CSUB director of forensics. "Unfortunately, they lost some heartbreakingly
close debates against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University
of Georgia, Baylor University, and Arkansas State University," he
said. "After three, 14-hour-days arguing almost non-stop, CSUB was
finally removed from elimination round consideration."

The National Debate Tournament marks the end of the 2000-2001 competitive
debate season. The most recent varsity rankings, issued March 15, placed
CSUB as the 17th best program in the nation.

The 2001-2002 season begins on July 15. Questions regarding CSUB Debate
should be directed to Guevara at 661/664-2206.